Chargers take two from UWA

Combined reports

Published: Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 11:20 p.m.

LIVINGSTON | Jaime Smith made clutch free throws and a key steal in the last 9.1 seconds to help 11th ranked Alabama-Huntsville escape with a 57-54 Gulf South Conference men’s basketball victory over West Alabama on Saturday.

With the score tied at 54 and 9.1 seconds left to play, Smith made one of two free throws and then stole the UWA inbounds pass, was immediately fouled, and then iced the game away with a pair of free throws. A last-second 3-pointer for UWA fell short as time expired.

The win improved UAH to 16-3 overall and a league-leading 9-2 in the conference. West Alabama fell to 7-11 and 3-8.

The Chargers led by as many as 11 points early in the second half before UWA came roaring back. Back-to-back breakaway dunks by Joshua Millsap and Steven Samuels closed the Tigers to within 47-45 with 4:44 to play.

Jasmine Hammond and Jordan Smith combined for 45 points and Alabama-Huntsville was hot from 3-point range in a Gulf South Conference women’s win over West Alabama.

The Lady Chargers snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 9-12 overall, 6-5 in the GSC. West Alabama dropped to 9-10 and 4-7.

UAH built a 39-31 lead after making 8 of 10 3-point attempts in the first half.

West Alabama battled back from 11 points down to tie the game at 63 with 6:45 left. The Tigers couldn’t take the lead down the stretch, however, missing three of four free throw attempts in the last 38 seconds. UWA shot just 65 percent from the line.

<p>LIVINGSTON | Jaime Smith made clutch free throws and a key steal in the last 9.1 seconds to help 11th ranked Alabama-Huntsville escape with a 57-54 Gulf South Conference men's basketball victory over West Alabama on Saturday.</p><p>With the score tied at 54 and 9.1 seconds left to play, Smith made one of two free throws and then stole the UWA inbounds pass, was immediately fouled, and then iced the game away with a pair of free throws. A last-second 3-pointer for UWA fell short as time expired.</p><p>The win improved UAH to 16-3 overall and a league-leading 9-2 in the conference. West Alabama fell to 7-11 and 3-8.</p><p>The Chargers led by as many as 11 points early in the second half before UWA came roaring back. Back-to-back breakaway dunks by Joshua Millsap and Steven Samuels closed the Tigers to within 47-45 with 4:44 to play.</p><p>Samuels recorded his fourth double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Millsap collected eight rebounds.</p><p>Smith scored 18 points to lead UAH.</p><p><b>WOMEN</p><p>UAH 74, UWA 69</b></p><p>Jasmine Hammond and Jordan Smith combined for 45 points and Alabama-Huntsville was hot from 3-point range in a Gulf South Conference women's win over West Alabama.</p><p>The Lady Chargers snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 9-12 overall, 6-5 in the GSC. West Alabama dropped to 9-10 and 4-7.</p><p>UAH built a 39-31 lead after making 8 of 10 3-point attempts in the first half. </p><p>West Alabama battled back from 11 points down to tie the game at 63 with 6:45 left. The Tigers couldn't take the lead down the stretch, however, missing three of four free throw attempts in the last 38 seconds. UWA shot just 65 percent from the line.</p><p>Nikkia Jordan scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Tigers. Synthea Reed had 12 points and nine rebounds.</p>